Metering roll film holders and multi-format camera

ABSTRACT

A multi-format camera is provided for taking pictures in several different sizes, such as 21/4×15/8 ins. and 21/4×23/4 ins., on separate rolls of similar length film. A plurality of roll film holders for the different picture sizes have respective frames for carrying the similar length rolls and respective metering assemblies for advancing the film over the frames in different length increments corresponding to the different picture sizes. Each of the metering assemblies has at least one gear member situated at the same location on the film holders. The camera includes a single drive gear positioned for engagement with the gear member of the metering assembly on a film holder received in the camera, and manual or automatic means for rotating the drive gear between exposures to advance roll film in the particular length increments determined by such metering assembly.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Reference is made to commonly assigned, copending patent applicationsSer. No. 707,933, filed Mar. 4, 1985 in the names of Donald M. Harveyand Neil G. Seely and entitled CODED ROLL FILM HOLDER AND CODERESPONSIVE CAMERA and Ser. No. 707,834, filed Mar. 4, 1985 in the samenames and entitled ROLL RILM HOLDERS AND MULTIFORMAT CAMERA.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention generally relates to roll film holders and to roll filmcameras. More particularly, the invention relates to a multi-formatcamera for taking different size pictures on separate rolls of film andto roll film holders having respective metering mechanisms for advancingthe film in different length increments to enable multi-format use ofthe camera.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Roll (non-perforated) film is backed with an opaque paper strip whichhas printed numbers corresponding to the number of negative spaces onthe film. The most popular roll film, probably size 120 film, isapproximately 2.45 ins. (6.22 cm.) wide. The backing paper on size 120film has several series of numbers. A first series is numbered proximateone longitudinal edge of the paper to give 16 exposures to the rollmeasuring 21/4×1 5/8 ins. (6×4.5 cm.). Another series is numbered alongthe longitudinal center of the paper to give 12 exposures measuring21/4×21/4 ins. 6×6 cm.). A third series is numbered proximate the otherlongitudinal edge of the paper to give 8 exposures measuring 1/4×31/4ins.(6×9 cm.). A fourth useful possibility, which is not numbered on thepaper, is 10 exposures to the roll measuring 21/4×23/4 ins. (6×7 cm.).

Roll film cameras equipped to take pictures in two or more of thedifferent sizes, i.e., 21/4×15/8 ins., 21/4×21/4 ins., 21/4×31/4 ins.,and 21/4×23/4 ins., on separate rolls of film having the same length andwidth, are referred to as multi-format cameras. Many of these camerasare used with several roll film holders for taking the respective sizepictures. To take pictures in a different size, the roll film holderbeing used must be removed from the camera and replaced by a film holdercorresponding to the desired picture size.

In a multi-format camera, the film metering, that is, the length of filmtravel between successive exposures, differs in accordance with theformat, i.e., the picture size, being used. Thus, when changing the rollfilm holder in the camera to take pictures in a different size, themetering mechanism or the drive for such mechanism must be altered tochange the length of film travel to accomodate the desired picture size.

One proposed solution to the problem of providing for different filmmetering in a multiformat camera is described in U.S. Pat. No.2,926,424. That solution involves the use of interchangeable meteringunits for advancing roll film in different length increments. Onemetering unit is taken out of the camera and replaced by a differentmetering unit, to change to the length of film travel required fortaking pictures in a different size. Another proposed solution which isdescribed in the same patent attacks the problem from a differentapproach by employing a single, permanent metering unit for thedifferent picture sizes. That solution involves the use of a manuallyshiftable transmission for driving the metering unit to provide thedifferent lengths of film travel required for the different picturesizes.

Although the proposed solutions in U.S. Pat. No. 2,926,424 to theproblem of providing different film metering in a multi-format cameramay accomplish their intended purpose, they have several drawbacks. Forexample, each time a change in the picture size is desired, there mustbe an exchange of interchangeable metering units in the camera before anexchange of film holders can be completed. Alternatively, thephotographer must remember to operate the shiftable transmission for thepermanent metering unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The problem of changing the film metering in a multi-format camera eachtime a change in the picture size is desired, is believed solved by theinvention in an improved manner as compared to the prior art solutionsdescribed above. Generally, the invention provides roll film holdershaving respective metering means for advancing the roll film indifferent length increments to enable multi-format use of the camera,and derive means in the camera for operating the respective meteringmeans each time a film holder is loaded in the camera.

According to the invention, there is provided a multi-format camera fortaking pictures in several different sizes, such as 21/4×15/8 ins. and21/4×23/4 ins., on separate rolls of similar length film. A plurality ofroll film holders for the different picture sizes have respective framesfor carrying the similar length rolls and respective metering assembliesfor advancing the film over the frames in different length incrementscorresponding to the different picture sizes. Each of the meteringassemblies has at least one driven member situated at the same locationon the film holders. The camera includes a drive member positioned forengagement with the driven member of the metering asssembly on a filmholder received in the camera, and manual or automatic means for movingthe drive member between exposures to advance roll film in the prticularlength increments determined by such metering assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in connection with the drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of size 120 roll film and backing paper, depictingthe film in two instances with different size exposures;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of a dualformat camera for takingpictures in the two different sizes, according to a preferred embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of a masking mechanism in the camerafor changing the effective size of the exposure area in conformity withthe particular size of the pictures to be taken;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are rear elevation views of respective roll film holdersfor the different size exposures, according to the preferred embodimentof the invention;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are plan views of respective gearing mechanisms in thetwo roll film holders for metering the roll film in different lengthincrements between successive exposures;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of one of the film holders loadedin the camera; and FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the otherfilm holder loaded in the camera.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The invention is described as being embodied in a pair of roll filmholders for two different negative sizes and in a dual-format cameraadapted to receive the film holders. Because such film holders andcameras are well known, this description is directed in particular tothose elements forming part of or cooperating directly with thepreferred embodiment. It is to be understood, however, that otherelements not specifically shown or described may take various formsknown to persons of ordinary skill in the art.

Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, there isshown two similar rolls of a conventional size 120 film, such as KodakVerichrome Pan film for black and white prints. In each instance, thefilm roll is laid out flat to reveal the full length of the film F andan opaque backing paper B. The film F is attached to the backing paper Bat leading and trailing ends 1 and 3 of the film by respectiveadhesive-backed pasters 5 and 7. As shown in FIG. 1, the upper film rollhas sixteen exposures 9 each measuring 21/4×15/8 ins. (6×4.5 cm.). Thedimension 2 1/4 ins. represents the width of an exposure 9 measuredacross the film F, and the dimension 15/8 ins. represents the length ofthe exposure measured along the film. The lower film roll has tenexposures 11 each measuring 21/4×23/4 ins. (6×7 cm.). Similarly, thedimension 21/4 ins. represents the width of an exposure 11 and thedimension 23/4 ins. represents the length of the exposure. As depicted,the two film rolls have the same length and the same width. However, thelength T of film travel between the successive exposures 9 or 11 on thetwo film rolls will be different because of the difference in exposurelength, i.e., 15/8 ins. and 23/4 ins., on such rolls. In FIG. 1, thelength T between the leading side of one exposure 9 on the upper filmroll and the leading side of the next exposure on such roll is 17/8 ins.(4.8 cm.), and the length T between the leading side of one exposure 11on the lower film roll and the leading side of the next exposure on suchfilm roll is 3 ins. (7.6 cm.).

A dual-format camera 13 is illustrated in FIG. 2 for taking pictures inthe two different sizes 21/4×15/8 ins. and 21/4×23/4 ins. on separaterolls of the film F, shown in FIG. 1. The dual-format camera 13 isdepicted with a back door 15 pivoted open from a camera body 17. Ataking lens 19 centrally arranged at the front of the camera body 17forms a focal plane within the camera body. A rectangular-shaped opening21 in the camera body 17 is centered on the optical axis of the takinglens 19. The rectangular-shaped opening 21 defines a similar shapedexposure area for recording a picture on a film portion lying in thefocal plane of the lens 21. A resiliently flexible plate 23 connected tothe back door 15 rests on a sponge-like backing pad 25 which serves as alight lock. The plate 23 has a pair of raised edge sections 27 forsupporting a roll film holder received in the camera body 17, toposition successive portions of the roll film in the focal plane.

As shown in FIG. 3, a pair of masking flaps 29 are supported within thecamera body for swinging movement on separate pivot posts 31 to changethe actual size of the opening 21 defining the exposure area torespective sizes corresponding to the two picture sizes, 21/4×15/8 ins.and 21/4×23/4 ins. The two masking flaps 29 are movable between amasking position, depicted in FIG. 2, covering opposite end portions ofthe opening 21 to reduce the effective size of the exposure area to21/4×15/8 ins. and a non-masking position, depicted in FIG. 3, removedfrom the opposite end portions of the opening to enlarge the effectivesize of the exposure area to 21/4×23/4 ins. Each of the masking flaps 29includes a cam follower pin 33 having a free end movably disposed withina cam slot 35 in a motion transmitting bar 37. The motion transmittingbar 37 includes a pair of depressible posts 39 supported forlongitudinal movement in respective openings 41 and 43. When the twoposts 39 are pushed inward of the openings 41 and 43, as indicated bythe pair of arrows X in FIG. 3, the bar 37 is shifted in the samedirection to move the two masking flaps 29 to their non-maskingposition. Normally, however, a pair of helical compression springs 45bearing against the bar 37 urge the mask flaps 29 to their maskingposition and urge the posts 39 outward of the openings 41 and 43.

FIG. 4A shows a roll film holder 47 used in the camera 13 to take21/4×15/8 ins. pictures on the roll film F. FIG. 4B shows a roll filmholder 49 used in the camera 13 to take 21/4×23/4 ins. pictures on theroll film F. Where the two roll film holders 47 and 49 are identical,the same reference numbers are used in describing their respectivecomponents. Otherwise, different reference numbers are used.

Each of the film holders 47 and 49 includes a frame 51 generally havingthe same dimensions for carrying a similar length roll of the film F.The film F is provided (in unexposed form) wound on a supply spool Swith the backing paper B at the outer side of each convolution of theroll. The supply spool S is supported for rotation on a fixed post 53 onthe frame 51, and is held in the proper unwinding position by aspring-urged washer 55 movable along the fixed post. Duringpicture-taking in the camera 13, the film F (with the backing paper B)is advanced from the supply spool S, around an idler roller 57 on theframe 51, over a flat exposure plate 59 comprising part of the frame,around a metering roller 61 on the frame, and onto a take-up spool 63.The take-up spool 63 is supported for rotation on a fixed post 64 on theframe 51, and is held in the proper winding position by a spring urgedwasher 67 movable along the fixed post. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, thefilm F is advanced over the idler roller 57, the exposure plate 59, andthe metering roller 61, with the backing paper B located between thefilm and these components. In contrast, the film F is wound onto thetake-up spool 63 with the backing paper B at the outer side of eachconvolution of the roll.

The roll film holder 47 includes a pair of coded means representative ofthe 21/4×15/8 in. picture size. The two coded means on the film holder47 are depicted in FIG. 4A as a pair of identical cut-outs 69 in theexposure plate 59, at respective predetermined locations along a codedregion 71 on that plate. The predetermined locations of the two cut-outs69 are chosen such that when the film holder 47 is loaded into thecamera body 17, as shown in FIG. 6, the two depressible posts 39 on themotion transmitting bar 37 will enter the respective cut-outs. Thispermits the pair of masking flaps 29 to remain in their maskingposition, to maintain the effective size of the exposure area (definedby the opening 21) at 21/4×15/8 ins.

The roll film holder 49 includes a pair of coded means representative ofthe 21/4×23/4 ins. picture size. The two coded means on the film holder49 are depicted in FIG. 4B by the absence of respective cut-outs at thesame two locations as occupied by the pair of cut-outs 69 on the filmholder 47. That is to say, the coded region 71' on the film holder 49 isdistinguished from the coded region 71 on the film holder 47 by thepresence of respective portions of the exposure plate 59 where the twocut-outs 69 would otherwise be present. Thus, when the film holder 49 isloaded into the camera body 17, as shown in FIG. 7, the two posts 39 onthe bar 37 will be pushed into the respective openings 41 and 43 by theexposure plate 59, thereby moving the pair of masking flaps 29 to theirnonmasking position and enlarging the effective size of the exposurearea to 21/4×2 3/4 ins.

Other details of the respective pairs of coded means on the two filmholders 47 and 49 for representing the 21/4×15/8 ins. and 21/4×23/4 ins.picture sizes ar disclosed in copending Ser. No. 707,934, entitled CODEDROLL FILM HOLDER AND CODE RESPONSIVE CAMERA and more fullycross-referenced above.

The film holder 47 includes metering means corresponding to the21/4×15/8 ins. picture size, for advancing the roll film F in 17/8in.increments between successive exposures to provide sixteen exposures 9to the roll. Conversely, the film holder 49 includes metering meanscorresponding to the 21/4×23/4 ins. picture size, for advancing the rollfilm F in 3 in. increments between successive exposure to provide tenexposures 11 to the roll. The respective metering means for the filmholders 47 and 49 are shown in FIGS. 4A, 5A and 4B, 5B. In essence, thetwo film holders 47 and 49 have identical actuating gears 73 engagingidentical take-up gears 75, mounted in coaxial relation with the take-upspools 63, to rotate either one of such spools at the same speed on thetwo film holders when a corresponding one of the actuating gears isrotated. Also, the two film holders 47 and 49 have similar pairs ofintermediate engaging gears 77 and 79. The respective intermediate gears79 engage similar roller gears 81, mounted in coaxial relation with themetering rollers 61. The metering roller 61 on the film holder 47 mustbe rotated at a slower speed than the metering roller 61 on the filmholder 49 to effect less film travel between successive exposures whenusing the first-mentioned holder. To accomplish this, the film holder 47has a smaller size reduction or metering gear 85 than the otherreduction or metering gear 87 on the film holder 49. As shown in FIG.5A, the metering gear 85 is fixed in coaxial relation to the take-upgear 75 on the film holder 47 and has 16 teeth disposed to engage theintermediate gear 77 on that film holder. As shown in FIG. 5B, themetering gear 87 is fixed in coaxial relation to the take-up gear 75 onthe film holder 49 and has 26 teeth disposed to engage the intermediategear 77 on that film holder. Thus, even though the metering gears 85 and87 will be rotated at the same speed on the respective film holders 45and 47, in response to rotation of the actuating gears 73 at the samespeed on the two film holders, the intermediate gear 77 and thereforethe metering roller 61 on the film holder 47 will be rotated at a slowerspeed than the same gear and roller on the film holder 49.

On each of the film holders 47 and 49, the pair of intermediate engaginggears 77 and 79 are arranged between the metering gear 85 or 87 and theroller gear 81 to cause the metering roller 61 to rotate to a slowerspeed than the take-up spool 63. This tensions the film length betweenthe metering roller and the take-up spool. A slip clutch 88, shown inFIGS. 4A and 4B, is provided to prevent the film length from beingoverly tensioned, to avoid damaging the roll film F.

The multi-format camera 13, as shown in FIG. 2, includes a single speeddrive gear 89 positioned for separate engagement with the respectiveactuating gears 73 on the film holders 47 and 49 when either one of theholders is loaded in the camera body 17. A known motor, not shown, isprovided for rotating the single speed drive gear 89 between successiveexposures to advance the roll film F in the different length incrementsi.e., 1 7/8 in. and 3 in., determined by the respective metering gears85 and 87 on the film holders 47 and 49. Alternatively, known manuallyoperated means may be provided for rotating the drive gear 89 betweenexposures.

While the invention has been described with reference to a preferredembodiment, it will be understood that various modifications may beeffected within the ordinary skill in the art without departing from thescope of the invention. For example, instead of using the invention withonly two picture sizes, 21/4×15/8 ins. and 21/4×23/4 ins., the inventionmay be used with numerous other picture sizes, such as 21/4×21/4 ins.and 21/4×31/4 ins.

I claim:
 1. A roll film holder adapted for use with a multi-formatcamera for taking different size pictures on separate rolls of similarlength film, wherein said film holder is of the type having a frame,means on said frame for supporting a roll of unexposed film, androtatable means on said frame for taking-up successive portions of filmexposed in a focal plane in the camera, and wherein the improvementcomprises:metering means corresponding to a selected one of the picturesizes, said metering means being positioned on said frame for advancingroll film on the frame in predetermined length increments related to theselected size, whereby a predetermined number of exposures may beobtained on the roll.
 2. A pair of roll film holders adapted for usewith a multi-format camera for taking different size pictures onseparate rolls of similar length film, wherein said film holders are ofthe type having respective frames with substantially similar dimensionsfor carrying the similar length rolls, means on each of said frames forsupporting a roll of unexposed film, and rotatable means on each of saidframes for taking-up successive portions of film exposed in a focalplane in the camera, and wherein the improvement comprises:firstmetering means corresponding to one picture size, said first means beingpositioned on one of said frames for advancing roll film on that framein first length increments between exposures to provide a first numberof exposures on the roll; and second metering means corresponding toanother picture size, said second means being positioned on the otherframe for advancing roll film on that frame in second length incrementsbetween exposures to provide a second number of exposures on the roll.3. The improvement as recited in claim 2, wherein said first and secondmetering means include respective identical gears disposed at the samelocation on said frames for separate engagement by a drive gear in thecamera when either one of said film holders is used with the camera. 4.The improvement as recited in claim 3, wherein said first and secondmetering means include respective metering gears disposed for rotationby said identical gears, said metering gears having different numbers ofteeth for advancing roll film on said frames in the first and secondlength increments.
 5. The improvement as recited in claim 4, whereinsaid metering gears are supported for rotation in coaxial relation withsaid rotatable take-up means on each of said frames.
 6. The improvementas recited in claim 2, wherein said rotatable take-up means on each ofsaid frames includes similar take-up gears for rotating the individualtake-up means at the same speed, and said first and second meteringmeans includes respective metering rollers for advancing exposed film tosaid individual take-up means and respective metering gear assembliesfor rotating each of said metering rollers at a slower speed than theindividual take-up means to tension the film, said metering gearassemblies including respective metering gears supported for rotation incoaxial relation with said take-up gears and having different numbers ofteeth to rotate said metering rollers at different speeds for advancingthe film the first and second length increments.
 7. A pair of roll filmholders adapted for use with a multi-format camera for taking differentsize pictures on separate rolls of similar length film, wherein saidfilm holders are of the type having respective frames with substantiallysimilar dimensions for carrying the similar length rolls, means on eachof said frames for supporting a roll of unexposed film, and rotatablemeans on each of said frames for taking-up successive portions of filmexposed in a focal plane in the camera, and wherein the improvementcomprises:metering rollers supported for rotation on said frames toadvance exposed film to each of said rotatable take-up means; andmetering gear assemblies coupled with said metering rollers to rotateeach of the rollers at a slower speed than said individual take-up meansto tension the film, said gear assemblies including respective meteringgears having different numbers of teeth for rotating said meteringrollers at different speeds to advance the film in different lengthincrements corresponding to different picture sizes.
 8. The improvementas recited in claim 7, wherein said metering gear assemblies includerespective identical gear means for rotating said metering gears, saidrespective gear means being disposed at the same location on said framesfor separate engagement by a drive gear in the camera when either one ofsaid film holders is used with the camera.
 9. A multi-format camera fortaking pictures in a plurality of sizes on separate rolls of similarlength film, and adapted to receive a plurality of film holders for thedifferent picture sizes having respective frames with substantiallysimilar dimensions for carrying the similar length rolls of film andrespective metering assemblies with similarly located actuating gearswhich when rotated cause the metering assemblies to advance film on theframes in different length increments corresponding to the differentpicture sizes, said camera comprising:a taking lens for forming a focalplane; means for positioning a film holder received in said camera tosupport successive portions of roll film in the focal plane; a drivegear positioned for engagement with the actuating gear of the meteringassembly on a received film holder to rotate the actuating gear; andmeans for rotating said drive gear between exposures, whereby roll filmwill be advanced in the particular length increments determined by themetering assembly on the received film holder.